Habemus Papam

A film by Nanni Moretti

Movie review

by Kevin Laforest – May 3, 2012

This sumptuous Cannes 2011 selection takes us behind the doors of the Vatican during a papal conclave. It’s fascinating to get such access, even through the prism of fiction, and Nanni Moretti finds ample drama and humour in the proceedings, which don’t go as planned in his film. Moments before being introduced to the world, the new Pope (Michel Piccoli) cries out that he can’t do it, which is easy to relate to – who has never felt crushed by doubt and anguish in the face of great change and new responsibilities? It also leads to amusing situations, as the Church high-ups suddenly find themselves twiddling their thumbs, their precious ritual derailed. Habemus Papam stumbles a bit in the third act, but it remains a compelling watch, notably thanks to the extraordinary Piccoli.